Store-service apparatus.



PATENTED APR, 24, 1906.

E. W. WILCOX.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR.24.1905.

...... 1 7, $7( u .if m W 91.... ,73% Il.. v

PATBNTED APR. 24, 1906.

V E. W. WILGUX. STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-241905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 818,595. PATENTED'APR. 24, 1906.

E, W. WILCOX.

v, STORE SERVICE APPARATUS. 'APPLICATION MLBD ma. 21;, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 ffl @fyi/f2 No. 818,595. PATENTED APR. 2x1, "i905 E, W.WL-C'OX.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.24,1905.

SPRlNGFlELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

EVERETT WV. XVILCOX, OF

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

Speeication of Letters Patent.

Pntented April 24, 190B.

Application tiled March 24., 1905. Serial No. 251.766.

To .ff/7 'mh/ffii.. ifv 'frz/fry concern: l

Be it known that I, Evnnn'r'r W. WiLCox, l a citizen ofthe United Statesof America, and Il n resident of Springfield, in the county of'llauipden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new unduseful Improvements in Store-Service Apparntuses, of which the followingis n full, clearI and exact description.

This invention relates to shelves and shelv- 'ig-supports, and moreespecially to that class thereof in which the shelves are suppended attheir opposite ends by endless cables that pass around upper end lowerpairs of grooved pulleys nud bynieans of which the upper shelves niny bequickly moved within reach of the operator.

.t lending object of this invention to provide :i strongly-braced andself-supporting structure to sustiiin the shelving and constructed so nsto permit of quick assemblage by reason ol' the interchangeable undsimple orgnniziition of the parts, permitting of its erection in placesvarying greatly in height of ceiling und extent of wall-space.

Other objects are attained bythe improved -able construction, the shelfsupporting and adjusting means, novel operating mechanism for rnisingand lowering the shelves, and by other devices and equipmentshereinafter set forth.

ln the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is n front eltwation of severaltiers of shelves embodying my improvements as adapted, for instance, forlibrary purposes. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a set or tier ofslielving as adapted for store or factory uses, the structurel supports,one of the cables, and wheels therefor being seen in elevation. Fig. i!is a perspective view of a pair of upper stayrod clamps. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of the upper wheel-supporting bracket. Fig. 5 is a.perspective view of the lower wheel supporting nud adjusting bars. Fig.6 is a perspective view of the hanger-supporting guard. Fig. 7 is nperspective View of the base-plate and its clamp-sockets. Fig. 8 is aperspective view of a` roble-button, showing the parts thereofassembled. Fig. t) is a perspective View of the parts of a cable-buttonin separated relations to each other and to a Fig. 10 is a verticalsecbeud in the cable. tion similar to Fig. 2, but of the lower p0r- :indon a lnrger seele.

lion ol' the npplinnces of the ndjncent Fig ll is n front elevationlower end portions of two sets of shelving.

Fig. l2 is a perspective view of a lockingclamp for uniting the shelfends to their hangers. Fig. 13 is a perspective view ol :i

chimp for uniting the central portion of a shelf tocentrally-supportedhangers therefor. Fig. 14 is a` longitudinalsectional view of the worm-shaft operating ratchet and drum; and Fig. 15is an end view of the same, the end plate of the drum being removed.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all ofthe views.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a tier or set of shelves at eachend of which are n pair of vertical shelf-supporting columns B and B.These pairs of columns rest on baseplates i), fastened to they floor,and the lower ends of the columns are securely clamped in upwardly-opensockets b', which are formed nt opposite portions of the brise-plates.The length of these base-plates and the distance apart thereon of theclamping-sockets b are sullicieut to afford n stable support for thecolumns of each pnir.

That each pair of columns comprised in and located nt each end of theshelving of zi tier may be maintained nt their proper distance from eachother the bese-plate sockets b have formed thereon clamp-supports b2,which receive and rigidly hold the extremities ofthe colunin-uiiitingstay-rods b3, which extend between two pairs of the columns for one tierof shelving.

At the upper end portion of each of the airs of columns B and B areclamp-collars i, which have formed thereon chimp-supports e, (similar tothose indicated by b on the base-plates,) which receive and hold theends of the upper stay-rods c'.

Truss-like frames or brackets D, having clamp-collars d formed on theextren'iitics thereof, imite the u )per portions of euch pair of columnsB and and contribute to the rigidity of and help to maintain the saidcolumns in their upright iositions. ter of these brackets are rigidlyprovided short studs d', which carry thereon the grooved wheels orpulleys E. Near the lower portion of the columns and nd'ustnbly nttachedthereto by claiiip-eollnrs j' are bracket-bars f, having shaft-bearingsj" formed therein and nt `the middle portions thereof. Supported inthese benringsj" and extending from those of ont.` pair of columns tothose on the other is n shaft G. Groovewheels H, which may be identicaliu size sind In thccen- IOO bles are provided construction to the wheelslil, are mounted on shaft G at points thereon directly below and incoincidingplanes with the wheels E.

l l represent endless cables (their ends being spliced or otherwisesuitably joined).

` posite runs'orfpo'rtions of the cablesfora tier bars J, the ends ofwhich are connected to certain of the of shelving are tubular shafts orcable-buttons i by longbolts e', (see Fig.` 11,)

Vserrations ornotches t'-, and

which are passed through .the cableebuttons andthence into theI o` enends yof the tubular bars J a distance sul icient to insure a firniengagement thercwith,.and to preventfany spreading apart of the. cablesl the bolts e are pinned at c to the said bars J.

thereof and adjacent the cables I are two depending bars orshelf-hangers l. These hangers lx are of such'length as to permit thelower or depending end of each to clear the next shalt J. Une edgeportion l of each oi the hangers'li is provided with rounded each end ofthe shelves vli is provided with locking attachments for connect-ing andmaintaining said shelves at any desired heighten the hangers li byengagement with said-notches lc. Ylieferring to Figs. 10, 11. and l2,this shelf-locking attachment, comprises a llanged cleat poi'- tion c,on which the ends of' the shelves L rest and are secured thereto byscrews lf2. A recessed block fr, formed centrally on cleat lc', isprovided at its closed side with a notched surface ist, which (-i-ngagesthe notches lr: of

hanger K. A removable retaining-clamp Z, having one. side Aportion Zandthe angular end. extensions l2 l, is adapted to be slipped about. theblock lr after the desired point of engagement with hanger K has beendetermined', and by then tightening the set-screw in the end extensionZ2 the notched portions of bar K and the block ki ares'iinrnovablyengaged and held together.

That the cables and1 the buttons secured thereon may always have ayclose engagement with thcnotched pulleys. E and Il a cablel tighteningscrew O is provided on and has a screw-threatleii engagement with a barO, that is secured` to the columns B by clampeollars o, and this bar 0slightly above theV lower wheelsupporting bar F. To effect a tighteningof the cable by this means, the clamp-collars of bar F are 'irstiooseimd, and the clamp-collars o ol' bar U being lof-.lied to thecolumns :i powerlul livotallyai-` tached to each of the bars J and ateither end is secured in placel i downward setting of the bar F iseffected by the screvi O. This means for adjusting or tightening thecables is provided on both coluinns B and B of a set of shelving; but asthe stretch of wire cables is slight the aniount of adjustment necessaryis correspon(lingl)r slight.

In case the shelves are installed in places where great weight is to becarried thereon a curved supporting-guideway P for the cablebuttons toride on is provided under the wheels H, the ends of this curved supportbeing provided with clamp-collars p, which lock the saine to thecolumns, and thereby carry the weight of the' shelves suspended fromtheir cable-buttons, as before described, and prevent any disengagementof any of the cable-buttons from the wheel-notches h.

The construction of the cables for a set of shelvingisas follows: Thenumber of shelfhangers to be employed havin(r been deterniined, the.Atwo pairs of cables or the set of 'shelving are cut to the requiredlength and their 'ends carefully spliced or united, care being taken `toinsure accuracy. The cable- 'buttons that are next secured to the cablesare, as seen in Fig. E), niade in two halves or sections iz'and i, andthe adjoining faces of these button-sections are each provided withhalfarcund seinicirenlar grooves i* and The manner of attaching these'sections together and to the cable consists in pressing a curved bend,as X, of the cable intothe grooves of one section and then securing theother section thereto by a screw i", as shown in Fig. S. 1f desired, thecentral portion of the shelves L niay also be supported and preventedfrein sagging by a substantially similar hanger and shelf-locking deviceto those above described for the shelf ends.

Referring to Figs. 10, 1 1, and 13, M is a double-arm hanger, the twodepending inern' bers 4m united at the top by a yoke portion m', whichis supported on the hanger bar or shaft J. Notches 'm2 on the dependingnieinbers m m are engaged by the notches n of removable blocks N ofshelf-attachment devices N. .Each shelf-attachinent device consists of aflanged portion n, on which the shelf rests, and of ahanger guide orcasing at', one end of which is angularly inclined and receives betweensaid cnd and the inclosed notched hanger the notched block N, Fig. 13.The angular or beveled side of this block N has a groove ai formedthereon, which receives the point of the set-screw n", which has screwengagement through the angularly-incl-ined side of hanger-guide ai,whereby the hanger-guide n2, hangenarni m, and notched bloc N are allrigidly locked together.

rThe means for operating the cable-Wheels, and thereby elevating 'orllowering a tier et the shelving, as desired and as` illustrated inliigs. 1, 2., l0, and l of the drawings, is 'through a \,vorni-andgeaijconnection. 'Ik

vizir.:-

llaving thus described mv invention, what l claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is- Y l. ln a movable shelving apparatus, oppositeside supporting structures, upper and lower pairs ol wheels rotatabtvvmounted on veac-h structure, endless cables provided to run around theside pairs ot wheels, a plurality oi' shelves and shelf-supports havingswinging connections with the courses orruns of the cables, and meansfor vertically adjusting the shelves relatively to the. cables.

, 2. l'n a movable shelving apparatus, opposite sidesupportingstructures, upper and lower pairs oi wheels rotatably mounted on saidstructures, endless cables provided to run around side pairs of thewheels,bars horizontally carried between course-s ot' theoppositely-located cables, hangers journaled on said cross-bars anddepending therebelow, shelf-supports vertically adjustable on thedepending hangers, andmeans for locking A theshelf-supports in theiradjusted positions.

vided with teeth, shelf-sup Orts vertically adjustable on the dependinghangers, and having teeth engaging those ofthe hangers, and means forconfining the shelf-su ports in their interlocked positions, relative yto the hangers,

4. 1n anapparatus of the character described, o iposite side supportingstructures, upper an mounted on said structures, endless cablesprovidedto run around side pairs of thel wheels, bars horizontally7carried between courses of the oppositelvlocated cables, hangersjournaled on said cross-bars and having separated dependingmembers'provided with teeth, shelf supports comprising horizontalshelf-supporting portions and upright )ortions `each com rising a )arthavin"v l .s s

teeth 7c" and separated cheek members angularly arranged relatively tosaid part lr, and adapted to embrace and engage the depend.- ing membersof the hangers, and a threesided part l having a set-screw substantiallyas described.

'5. In an apparatus ot' the character described, opposite side sup`/orting structures, upper and lower pairs oi wheels rotatablyv mountedon said structures, endless cables provided to run around side pairs of-the wheels, bars l'aorizontally`carried between courses ot thcoppositcly-located cables, hangers journaled on said cross-bars and having separalcd depending members provided lower pairs ot' wheelsrotatably with teeth, shelf-supports comprising horizontalshelf-supporting portions and upright portions comprising a part 7c3having teeth, k* and separated cheek members angularly arrangedrelatively to said part 7f3 and adapted to embrace and engage thedf`ending members of the hangers. and constructed with edge recesses 7c,and a three-sided part lkhaving a set-screw Pfand adapted for an.interlocking engagement by said cheek .members in said recesses le,substantially as described.

6. in an apparatus of the character described, opposite side supportingstructures, each comprising baselates having front-torear arrangementsan columns or osts having lower endl connections with, an supports von,said base-plates, and a transversernernber D comprising the divergentarms term1' nating in contractible collars (l for embracing andadjustably engaging the upper portions of the columns of a pair, anupper carrierwheel j-ournaled on each lower carrier-wheel and lower suport therefor sustained by said columns, en les` cabes provided to runaround the side r irs of wheels, and a plurality of shelves an:sheltsupportshaving swinging connection with the opposite courses orrunsy of the cables.

7,'. In an apparatus of the; character described, opposite sidesupporting structures, each comprising base-plates having front-toreararrangements and rovided with upwardly-opening socketed ossee,constructed with the transverse sockets b2 and means for constrictingthe walls thereof, the stay-rods b having their extremities confined insaid sockets b2 and extending from the one side structure to the other,columns or posts having the lower ends thereof received in said socketedbosses, and transverse members uniting the upper portions of the columnsot' each side pair,upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatabl;T mounted,on each of said sidestructures, endless cables provided to run aroundthe side pairs of wheels, and a plnralitj)r of shelves andshelf-supports having swinging connections with the opposite cours-es orruns of the cables.

8f. In an apparatus of the character described,'opposite side supportingstructures, each comprising base-plates having 'front-toreararrangements and provided with'upwardluv-opening socketed bosses,constructed with the transverse sockets b2 and means for constrictingthe walls'thereof, stay-rods b3 having their extremities .confined insaid sockets and extending from the one side structure to the other,columns or posts having thi` lower ends thereoireceived in said sockctcdbosses, and transverse Vmembers 'uniting the upper portions of thecolumns, of

each side pair, clamp-collars C and means for conlining them on theupper portions of the columns having horizontal sockets, and stavrods c:utilis-tabl)v coniiucd in said horizontal appliance D, and a socketsand extending from those of one side structure to the other, upper andlower pairs of wheels rotatably mounted on cach of said side structures,endless-cables rovided to run around the side pairs of w reels, and aplurality of shelves and shelf-supports having swinging connections withtheopposite courses or runs of the cables.

9. In a store-service apparatus of the character described, oppositeside supporting structures, upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatablymounted on each structure, endless cables provided to run around theside pairs of wheels, hangers having swinging connections with thecourses or runs of the cables, and depending members, a plurality ot'shelf-supports connected with said depending members, and shelves onsaid supports.

10, In a store-service apparatus of the character described, oppositesupporting structures, upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatably mountedon each structure, endless cables provided to run around the side pairsof wheels, bars J supported horizontally by, and between, the runs ofthe oppositely located cables, hangers K having swinging connectionswith said bars near the cables, and intermediately-arranged hangers M,each comprising depending front and rearwardly located members 7n, m,and a uniting upper portion engaged with an intermediate portion of abar J, a'series of shelf-supports on, and adjustably connected torespective sets olf said hangers, and shelves on said supports.

ll. ln an apparatus of the character described, oppositelylocated endstructures each comprising a front and rearwardly located column,wheel-carrying members transversely connecting the pairs of columns, onethereof being verticallyr adjustable relatively to said columns, andmeans for confining such member in its adjused position, a memberconnected to, and extending between, the columns of a pair, and a devicemounted thereon and operable relatively to the adjustable wheel-carryingmember to impart its adjusting movement thereto, cables for runs aroundthe Wheels, bars J extending between the runs of the different cables,hangers and shelf-supports, and shelves thereon.

12. ln an apparatus of the character described, oppositely-located endstructures each comprising a front and rearwardly located column,wheel-carrying members D F, transversely connecting the pairs oi'columns, the one F thereof being vertically adjustable relatively tosaid columns, and means for contining such member in its adjustedposition, a bar O having collar-provided ends, and confinement devices,and connected to the columns ol a pair, and a screw (l engaging throughsaid bar (Y and coacting with the adjustable wheel-carrying bar l",cables'fcr runs around the wheels, bars J extending bctween the runs ofthe diilerent cables, hangers and shelf-supports, and shelves thereon.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, opposite end structures,cable-supporting wheels thereon, one adjustable vertically relatively tothe other, endless cables running around the upper and lower wheelscomprised in each end pair, hangers supported for swinging movements by,and relatively to, the cables, and a plurality ol shelf-supports,individually vertically adjustable on each hanger, and shelves carriedby pairs ci* said shelf-supports.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, opposite end supportingstructures, adjustable toward each other, and upper and lower stay-rodsextending between and adjustably connected to said end supportingstructure, cable-supporting wheels on said end structures, endlesscables running around the upper and lower wheels in each end pair,hangers supported for swinging movements by, and relatively to, thecables, a plurality of shelf-supports individually vertically adjustableon each hanger and shelves carried by oppositely-located pairs of saidshell-supports.

15. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, opposite end structures,one adjust.- able toward and from the other and upper and lowerstay-rods extending between und adjustably connected to the endstructures, cable-supporting wheels on said end structures, oneadjustable vertically relatively to the other, endless cables ruimingaround the upper and lower wheels (,woniprised in euch end pair, bars Jsupported horizontally between the runs ofthe endwise opposite cables,hangers supported for snnwing movements on said bars, a plurality ofshell-,supports individually adjustably connected on said hangers, andshelves on pairs of the said sheltsupports.

16, In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, opposite end structuresand cablesupporting wheels thereon, one oi said cablesupporting wheelshaving a worm-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith, endless cablesrunning around the up )er and lower wheels comprised in each end pair,hangers supported for swinging movements by, and relatively' to, thecables, shelves carried by and extending between the opposite hangers ofeach pair thereof, a support vertically adjustableon one of thcendstructures and having journals for a shaft which is carried thereby andwhich has a worin in mesh with the said worm-wheel.

17. ln an` apparatus of the character described, opposite endstructures, cach coluprising a iront and a rearwardly located column audmeans of transverse connection therefor, and cable-supporting wheelsmounted Jfor rotation on said end structures, and

IOO

one ol said cable-supporting wheels having a hrm-heel connected torotate as onelherewith. endless cables running around the upper andvlower wheels comprised in each end pair. hangers supported l'orswinging movements b \',and relat'ivelvto,theeables,shelves carried byand extending between the opposite hangers til-each pair tliereol',transverse supporting-bar lt lia-vinglr thi` clamp-collars r at the endsthereof to embrace the columns ol om` oiI the end strut-tures, andineans for ell'et'tingl the eonlinenient of said 'clamp-eollars on saidcolumns, and said bar havingr horizontal iournal-bearings, a worin-shaltsupported b v and extended through said bearings and having a worin iniiiesh with the norm-wheel, and means for rotating the worin-shalt.

1S. ln an apparatus ol" the elia 'acier described, opposite endstruetures, and cablesupporting wheels, one ol" said cable-supportingwheels having a worin-wheel eoi'ineeted to rotate as one therewith,endless cables and a plurality of shelves carried thereby, a shafthorizontalliv niountedat 'one end ol" the'apparatus, and having a. worinin mesh with the said worm-wheel, and a drinn` mounted on theworin-shaft, pawl-mid-ratchet devices having,r intervening connectionsbetween the drtn and the worin-shaft, a lever, and a cable connectedwith thelever and having winding engagement about said drinn.

19. ln an apparatus of the 'character described, opposite endstructures, and cablesupporting wheels, one of said lCable-supporting`wheels having a worm-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith, endlesscables and a plurality of shelves carried thereby, a lshal't/horizontallymounted at one end of the apparatus, and having a worin-inmesh with thel said worin-wheel, and a drum mounted on th-e worin-shaft,pawl-and-ratchet devices having intervening connections between thedrinn and the worin-shaft, a lever, a cable, one portion of which isconnected to said lever, and another portion thereof having a windingengagenientabout said drum, and a cable section-having a windingengagement with said drnni, and having a portion depending therebelowand carrying akweight.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, opposite end structures,and cablesupportiiig wheels, one of said cable-supportyin; wheels havinga worin-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith7 endless cables and aplurality of shelves carried thereby, a shalt horizontally inountedatone end of the apparatus, and having a worin inmesh with the saidworin-wheel, a foot-lever and means actuated thereby for intermittentlyrotating the worin-shaft in a given direction, and a bracket orfoot-support projecting `from the one end structure at a places'on'iewhat above, the Hoor and adjacent the said foot-iev 21. In anapparatus of the character dol scribed, opposite end strueturesfandcablesupport ingl wheels,l one ol said cable-supporting wheels having aworm-wheel connected i to rotate as one therewith, endless cables and Ia plurality ol' shelves carried thereby, a shaft 7o horizontally mountedat one end of the apparatus` and havingr a worin in iiiesh with the saidbrin-wheel, and a device mounted on the worin-shaft and comprising aratchetwlteel in non-rotatable engagement with the 75 shaft and arotatable drum-shell having a pawl pivoted thereon, alid yengaging saidf ratchet-wheel, a lever and a cable connected with said lever andhaving a winding engagementabou t said drinn and means for exerting 8o aretraeting or rreversing force on said drum.

`22. ln an apparatus of the character described, oppositeend-structures, and cablesupporting wheels, one of saidcable-supporting' wheels having a Worin-wheel connected 85 to rotate asAone therewith, endless cables andv a plurality of shelves carriedthereby, a shaft horizontally mounted at one end ofthe appa.- ratus, andhaving'a worin in mesh with the said worm-wheel, and a device mountedon` 9o the worin-shaft and comprising a sleeve having a ratchet-wheel,in non-rotatable engagement with the shaft, and' a drum-shellsurrounding and rotative relatively .to 'the said sleeve, and havingapawl pivoted thereon 95 and engaging said ratchet-wheel ofthe sleeve, afoot-lever and a cable therewith connected and having a windingengagement about said drum. I

23. -In an apparatus ofthe character de- :oo scribed, opposite endstructures, and cablesupporting wheels, one of said cable-supportingWheels having a worin-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith, theendless cables and a plurality o'l shelves carried thereby, a shaft ro 5horizontally mounted at one end ofthe apparatus, and having a worm inmesh with the said worm-wheel, and 'a device mountedon the worm-shaftandcomprising a sleeve having a rib-and-groove engagement with the' noworm-shaft, and removable therefrom, and endwise reversible relativelythereto, a ratchet-Wheel provided on said sleeve, and a druin-shellrotative about the sleeveuand having pawl, pivoted thereon, and engaging115 said ratchet-wheel, a latch for retaining the l sleeve and shell inplace onV the worm-shaft, a lever, anda cable connected with's'aid leverand having a winding engagement about said drum, and means for exertinga retracting or 1 2o reversing yf o'rceonrsaid drum, 'l

24. In an apparatus of the 'character-de-` serib ed opposite supportingstructures, upper and lower .pairs of peripherally recessed i wheelsrotatably mounted on each structure, '1 z 5 endless cables provided torun around the wheels, and having buttons connected at intervalsthereon, hangers arranged iniopposite pairs and4 horizontal cross-barshaving at their extremities, supporting connections A13o M015, tubular'muts J Within the 01111 tumbling tlc buttons, rodsj und tubular nmlsQUESOS.

emtus u Uw cham' G. R. DH1

ELL.

